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Author
Topic: Hip fracture recovery (Read 8056 times)

I'm sure all of you saw the thread regarding my hip fracture. I have never experienced pain like that before-it was worse than when I had my gallbladder attacks, worse than labor. Much worse. But, that was a little over a week ago, and the physical therapy has now begun.

Yesterday the doctor's nurse took out the staples. The incision is about 14" long, as there is a rod, plate and screw on the inside that will be there permanently. It was also x-ray'd yesterday and the doctor said everything looks good. He told me I would use the walker for approximately 3 months. I will be going back in a month for another x-ray check. Doc said no lifting (of anything heavy) until at least my return appointment.

I was taken off the Coumadin since my pro time was so high (don't remember the exact number), and in 2 more days will be starting aspirin. I'm down to about a total of 4-5 pain pills a day; they are prescribed for taking 2 every 4 hours. It's also terribly bruised, including a huge one on the inside of my upper left leg (it was my left hip), but I suppose that's to be expected.

The physical therapist came over yesterday and I did some exercises. It caused a significant amount of discomfort, but that's also to be expected. I will be doing the exercises daily.

I never knew a broken hip caused the level of pain I felt last Monday. I literally could not move my leg without it feeling like it was being twisted off my body. The ambulance EMT gave me 2 shots of Fentanyl, and it didn't touch the pain; then in the ER the nurse gave me some Dilaudid, and that did nothing for the pain either (it was that bad).

The surgery went well, and by the next day I was up walking, washing up etc. And two days ago I cleaned my apartment, including sweeping, dusting, cleaning the bathroom, and vacuuming.

I could write a long story about the incident, but will spare all the details. Ms P and Jeff kept up with me while I was in the hospital, which was nice. I speak frequently to Jeff now, and plan on talking to Ms P in the next couple days.

I do want to thank everyone for their support in the thread Ms P started, and if you've read this far, you're a better person than I am. Thanks again all!

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I've never killed anyone, but I frequently get satisfaction reading the obituary notices.-Clarence Darrow

Thanks for the up date Betty. I think there is Quite a few off us who are scared off breaking bones and hated to read that you had . I am glad that all has seemed to go well since the ambulance picked you up , mind you you must off exhausted there supplies off painkiller , I guess bad luck was plying on bad luck and the break also mashed the nerves in your leg . Also lying on ice for the half an hour cannot off helped .

Its a relief that you are home , lovemhtv

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"If we can find the money to kill people, we can find the money to help people ." Tony Benn

Greg, my doctor prescribed Boniva a couple years ago but I never took it because of the side effects. I also stopped the calcium a few months back; not intentionally, just keep forgetting to buy it. And yes, I am so glad we have been spared anymore major snow the past week. And, it's actually supposed to be up to 40F here by the 21st! T-shirt weather!

Britchick, thanks. I imagine anyone who's lived alone for any length of time would be the same way. It's nothing special.

The bruises and incision site are causing the most discomfort right now. I have a few horrible bruises right on my lower left ass cheek, making it quite difficult to sit even with a pillow. But, it will pass, this I know. I just shift positions often lol. I think the fact that I've been dealing with the knee issues for so many years may have built up my pain tolerance. I actually took some boxes out to the trash today, which involved walking down some steps, and about 1/2 block to where the trash cans are (still have to use the walker, it involves balancing lol). Which is good physically, and I think helps with regaining strength. I've only taken two pain pills today, but will probably take another one in an hour or so.

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I've never killed anyone, but I frequently get satisfaction reading the obituary notices.-Clarence Darrow

Wishing you a speedy recovery, but take your time and allow the heeling process to take his course. Physical therapy will help you build up your strength and get back to normal. It is not uncommon to see bruising on the surgery site. You are doing very well for a 8 days post-op .

Betty, I have been thinking about you and I'm so glad you're doing well at home. 2-3 pain pills a day is remarkable at this point. I would be screaming for more if I went anywhere near what you went through. I hope you continue to recover as the survivor we know your are.

Thanks guys. I actually sent a pic of my post-op x-ray to Ms P, maybe I can get her to post it later, when she's awake. I also sent one to Jeff, not sure if he could post it. I really am not up on how to do that, or I would. It's on my cell phone.

Honestly it's not that painful, just more very uncomfortable. On my left inner thigh, i have a bruise that starts at the top of my inner thigh, and goes down to my knee. I also have several black and purple bruises on my left outer thigh, up near where the hip hinges, and also a couple on my ass, making it very difficult to find a comfortable seating position. But, I know it will pass.

I can't begin to say how much the support is appreciated! And thanks to Jeff, I can eat! He was very gracious and sent me some gift cards to this delivery business, that includes delivery from nearly every restaurant in town. That is just how generous Jeff is, and what a great friend he has become.

Physical therapy is extremely uncomfortable, but I know that is how muscles get stronger to support the bones. Yesterday I did the exercises only once instead of twice because I did a bit of walking. So, the recovery continues..... thanks again everyone! I am so blessed to have such great support, and I do not take it for granted.

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I've never killed anyone, but I frequently get satisfaction reading the obituary notices.-Clarence Darrow

Lol, that would not be the place for a vibrator (it would have to go further right). Thanks Ms P for posting that. That is a post-op x-ray, showing the rod (vertical), plate at the top, and screw that are now parts of my body.

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I've never killed anyone, but I frequently get satisfaction reading the obituary notices.-Clarence Darrow

Two weeks post-break and surgery....doing really well. Will be driving today to take my car to get a right wheel joint replaced. I've already driven, though only through a drive-through. Still can't lift anything until at least March 11, which is my next appointment with the doctor.

I've talked about the long bruise on the inside of my left thigh; on the outside of the left thigh I have red, black and purple bruises that go from the top of my ass, and down the side of my thigh, past my knee. So, the pain now basically comes from having to sit on the bruises. Oh, and when I lift my leg it feels like I'm lifting 50 lbs, plus I can only lift so high-too painful to lift above where I'm able. A friend of mine asked if I knew how much the rod I have put in, weighs. I'll have to ask the doc.

I've taken a few steps without the walker or cane, but not many. Trying to walk un-assisted more than about 5 steps causes a great deal of pain. I wish I was all recovered! I'm not a patient person when it comes to having something limit my mobility. I mean, I am already limited with my knees, and that's enough for me; damn the hip thing!

Doing my physical therapy exercises 3 times a day. And still ornery.

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I've never killed anyone, but I frequently get satisfaction reading the obituary notices.-Clarence Darrow

Now I have four sets of exercises, with 6-8 exercises each set. In talking to the PT, besides the doctor, it really is going to take 3-6 months to get as good as it's going to get. I've only taken 2 pain pills today, but am thinking about calling for a refill tomorrow. It's so weird how a little thing like a hip fracture could cause so much disruption. I'M SO IMPATIENT!

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I've never killed anyone, but I frequently get satisfaction reading the obituary notices.-Clarence Darrow

Hugs for Betty . I know how tough it is for you at the moment because we have talked ... this hip fracture on top of the chronic stuff we endure from being a LTS is something that needs lots of time and healing to get through . Im not a patient man so I understand how frustrating this must be for you .

You are strong and independent but I hope you ask for help when you need it and let us support you through it all . When you update us its also inspiring to those of us who are struggling because then we can pick our self up and go on just like you always do and have done .

How is the bathing going? How much can you wash yourself. After my surgeries I could only bath with a washcloth in the kitchen sink for at least two months, so I would often only do it when I had a doctor's appointment and spent the rest of the time smelling really ripe.

Now I have four sets of exercises, with 6-8 exercises each set. In talking to the PT, besides the doctor, it really is going to take 3-6 months to get as good as it's going to get. I've only taken 2 pain pills today, but am thinking about calling for a refill tomorrow. It's so weird how a little thing like a hip fracture could cause so much disruption. I'M SO IMPATIENT!

I feel for you, I so hated the PT. Will they be leaving the screws and plate in forever? I'm considering having mine removed as the screw head rub the side of my shoe and causes a sore spot.

Glad you're at least mobile. Stay patient and do what's necessary to garner a full recovery.

greg

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Complacency is the enemy. Challenge yourself daily for maximum return on investment.

Ms P, I shower daily. I have a brush I use, but go easy over the bruises.

Greg, the hardware is staying in. The knob on the inside of the upper thigh bone, that connects it to the pelvic bone snapped in half. So there's also a rod in there, holding it together. If it came out, the bone would collapse.

Yes, I'm doing the physical therapy. I talked to my new boss earlier who told me when she had her jaw wired shut she did not do all the PT exercises and now has limited mobility in her jaw. So, onward.

Mitch, I am not delusional, I am impatient lol.

Thanks everyone for the continued support. It sure means a lot.

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I've never killed anyone, but I frequently get satisfaction reading the obituary notices.-Clarence Darrow

My left foot and ankle got swollen up this morning (same side as surgery). The physical therapist said it is most likely caused by "doing" too much too soon. So I'm having to elevate my foot above my heart. I don't feel weird or anything so it must be harmless.

Well, I live by myself, what else can I do? I did make it to Kroger today to get a couple things. I don't get more than a few things at one time, I still can't lift too much. I tried to move this 50 lb salt bag on my porch, from one end to another, but that didn't work out lol.

Doing the physical therapy exercises 3 times a day, and added doing some arm exercises. So I'm being good.

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I've never killed anyone, but I frequently get satisfaction reading the obituary notices.-Clarence Darrow

It's possible that you're putting extra pressure on it due to the way you have to walk. My opposite foot would start hurting and swelling because I was walking funny.

Do as I say and not as I do, but take it easy and allow for proper recovery.

greg

I actually tread a bit lighter on my left foot, since that's the side that had surgery and is more painful to walk on. But I do tense up sometimes when moving without any assistance (walker, cane), and I'm sure that puts more pressure on it than there should be.

Thanks, Greg, for the advice. I hope you're also taking it easy.

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I've never killed anyone, but I frequently get satisfaction reading the obituary notices.-Clarence Darrow

My left foot and ankle got swollen up this morning (same side as surgery). The physical therapist said it is most likely caused by "doing" too much too soon. So I'm having to elevate my foot above my heart. I don't feel weird or anything so it must be harmless.

Well, I live by myself, what else can I do? I did make it to Kroger today to get a couple things. I don't get more than a few things at one time, I still can't lift too much. I tried to move this 50 lb salt bag on my porch, from one end to another, but that didn't work out lol.

Doing the physical therapy exercises 3 times a day, and added doing some arm exercises. So I'm being good.

I hate to be critical, and I know you are driving, but I think it would be wise to get a friend to go to the grocery store with you for the first month.

I hate to be critical, and I know you are driving, but I think it would be wise to get a friend to go to the grocery store with you for the first month.

I don't think you're being critical. I know you say it because you care. My two best friends here do take me when I need to get quite a few things. I only went to get a couple things, I still can't lift and/or carry anything heavy. But I do believe you're right; I was very sore by the time I was done walking through Kroger. I think I should be using those electric carts to get around, at least for a while. And I can't do that when using a walker. Nowhere to stash it.

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I've never killed anyone, but I frequently get satisfaction reading the obituary notices.-Clarence Darrow

My left ankle and foot is pretty swollen, has just gotten worse in the past 3 days. And I'm having a lot of sharp pain on the upper, inner thigh, and it's all swollen. I guess this is normal stuff. I'm putting my foot up in between exercising and doing things around the apartment.

WHY DOES IT TAKE SO LONG TO RECOVER?? Lol. Continued impatience. And I hate having to continue pain meds. Now I'm whining.

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I've never killed anyone, but I frequently get satisfaction reading the obituary notices.-Clarence Darrow

My left ankle and foot is pretty swollen, has just gotten worse in the past 3 days. And I'm having a lot of sharp pain on the upper, inner thigh, and it's all swollen. I guess this is normal stuff. I'm putting my foot up in between exercising and doing things around the apartment.

WHY DOES IT TAKE SO LONG TO RECOVER?? Lol. Continued impatience. And I hate having to continue pain meds. Now I'm whining.

I hope you have called your doctor an let them know about this ? . You have a lot of trauma and hardware down there and I would worry about circulation and clots ... I'm just worried about you and hope you let your doctor know whats up if you haven't already .

I would probably pop in to my doctor's office -- each time I had foot surgery something a couple week's later would begin swelling up, especially if you are having discoloration. It could be an infection beginning, or are you on some anti-biotic already anyway. Are you also putting cold ice packs on the swelled areas in addition to keeping them elevated?

I am putting ice packs on the swollen area on my leg. The feet seem to go down when I elevate them. My doctor wants me to continue to ice every couple hours and stay down for a couple days and let him know if it doesn't improve. I haven't really been staying down. There's a lot to do around here. But I will. After I eat lunch I'm going to lay down for a while. Thanks for the replies.

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I've never killed anyone, but I frequently get satisfaction reading the obituary notices.-Clarence Darrow

I am putting ice packs on the swollen area on my leg. The feet seem to go down when I elevate them. My doctor wants me to continue to ice every couple hours and stay down for a couple days and let him know if it doesn't improve. I haven't really been staying down. There's a lot to do around here. But I will. After I eat lunch I'm going to lay down for a while. Thanks for the replies.

Take Care Betty. Must say I was a bit shocked at the shopping trip , When the friend I told you about had her break the re-hab included for the first 3 weeks resting up as well as Gentle regular movement . Like many I am great in recognizing the need to rest in others hopeless at doing it myself.

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"If we can find the money to kill people, we can find the money to help people ." Tony Benn

So I had to get support hose today (expensive!). The doctor said if the swelling isn't down by Thursday to make an appointment. I was also told that the swelling on the upper inner thigh may not be normal (may not be?). Told to watch for now. I think it may be, however, since there is so much bruising there.

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I've never killed anyone, but I frequently get satisfaction reading the obituary notices.-Clarence Darrow